Arteriovenous malformation in the pretragal region: case report.

BACKGROUND Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the extracranial region is uncommon. The most common sites are cheek, ear, nose, and forehead in order of frequency in the extracranial region. Although the external ear is the second most common site for the extracranial AVM, AVM in the pretragal region has not been reported until now. METHODS AND RESULTS We reported a case of AVM in the pretragal region, which was successfully removed by complete excision after preoperative selective embolization in a 32-year-old man. Combined superselective and particle embolization is a useful method to decrease the blood flow in the pretragal AVM. CONCLUSION We successfully treated the patient for the AVM in the pretragal area by complete excision within 72 hours after the preoperative combined superselective and particle embolization. Although our case is similar to auricular AVMs in point of symptoms and treatment, this is the first case reported at this unusual site.